Collide & Create: Rethinking Research Space at the McGill Sustainability Park
Anna Bendix, McGill University
Sylvain Letarte, Ingenio by Phytronix
The objective of this presentation is to explore activity‑based laboratory models, showing how organizing research space around shared activities—rather than disciplines—enables high‑intensity, flexible labs that support specialized research across multiple faculties. It demonstrates, through the McGill Sustainability Park, how adaptable typologies, user‑engaged planning, and performance metrics can future‑proof research infrastructure while fostering sustained transdisciplinary collaboration.
This presentation will expand on contemporary models for planning transdisciplinary research environments by drawing on McGill University’s activity-based laboratory framework developed for the McGill Sustainability Park. It will examine how highly specialized researcher requirements can be supported without constraining laboratories to narrow disciplinary uses by shifting the planning focus from individual research groups to shared research activities. Rather than allocating space by discipline or faculty, the approach organizes laboratories around common activity types—such as fabrication, imaging, wet chemistry, and data intensive work—supported by shared research platforms and adaptable infrastructure. This model enables high intensity laboratory spaces to serve multiple faculties and departments simultaneously, while remaining capable of advanced, specialized research. The presentation will highlight how redefining laboratory typologies beyond the traditional wet–dry binary allows for greater flexibility in configuration, density, and adjacency, supporting evolving research methods and interdisciplinary collaboration. Through a detailed case study of the McGill Sustainability Park, the presentation will demonstrate how flexible, yet highly complex research environments can serve as catalysts for non-departmental research cultures. It will report on academic user engagement processes and multidisciplinary planning exercises that establish a robust planning baseline, effectively decoupling specific end user identities from fixed spatial outcomes. This decoupling ensures that laboratories remain adaptable over time as research priorities shift. The presentation will conclude with a look at the implementation phase, by sharing planning metrics developed to evaluate capacity, intensity, and adaptability, illustrating how activity-based lab planning can future proof research infrastructure while fostering sustained transdisciplinary collaboration.
Anna Bendix, Director Planning and Development, McGill University Anna Bendix is an architect and the Director Planning and Development for McGill’s largest infrastructure project, the McGill Sustainability Park, a 500,000 sq ft state-of-the-art research, teaching, and learning hub. Prior to taking this role, Anna was responsible for the 2019 McGill Campus Master Plan, a comprehensive planning document to guide the evolution of the University’s campuses. Before joining McGill, Anna worked as an architect with Saucier + Perrotte architectes on award-winning projects such as the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (Waterloo, Ontario), the Communication Culture and Technology Building (University of Toronto at Waterloo) and the McGill Faculty of Music Elizabeth Wirth pavilion. Anna holds a graduate and master’s degree in architecture from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and is a member of the Ordre des architectes du Québec.
Sylvain Letarte, President and CEO, Ingenio by Phytronix Sylvain Letarte is a recognized expert in laboratory design with over 25 years of experience in developing, installing, and maintaining complex analytical instruments. He has contributed to numerous laboratory projects across Canada and co-developed an innovative design approach integrating scientific needs analysis, research-driven instrumentation planning, and sustainable, stakeholder-aligned solutions. Sylvain is President, CEO, and co-founder of Ingenio Sciences (Phytronix Instruments Inc.), where he leads strategic planning for nationwide product and service distribution. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Université Laval and is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec.
Building Renewal for Collaborative Life Science Research
Vaughn Engel, University of Alberta
Janet Koshuta, START Architecture Inc.
The objective of this presentation is to describe how a major life-sciences facility renewal can move “beyond the laboratory box” by enabling interdisciplinary research through shared services, flexible collaboration spaces, and future-ready infrastructure. Its focus is a multi-phased approach—combining design strategy and project delivery planning—that minimizes disruption while incrementally modernizing labs, teaching environments, and core research resources.
This presentation, co-delivered by the project architect and the owner's project manager, explores the ambitious renewal of a 60,000 square metre facility at a major Canadian university which is dedicated to life science research and teaching. Under the theme 'Beyond the Laboratory Box,' the project responds to evolving research needs by reimagining traditional laboratory environments and prioritizing expanded shared services, flexible collaboration spaces, and future-ready infrastructure. The University of Alberta has envisioned a renewal program that aims to foster a vibrant research ecosystem by supporting diverse life science groups and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration. This will renew the existing Biological Sciences Building and transform it into a new facility that has been named the Life Sciences Innovation & Future Technologies (LIFT) Centre. By moving away from isolated, discipline-specific spaces, the design introduces a network of shared resources—including core facilities, advanced instrumentation suites, and communal support areas—that promote efficiency and interaction. This approach not only maximizes the use of existing space but also enables research teams to access specialized services without duplication, enhancing operational sustainability and adaptability. Central to the program is the creation of high-service research and teaching environments that accommodate both current and emerging scientific methodologies. This also is necessary to accommodate planned enrolment growth which will support anticipated labour demands in current and emerging fields. The facility will feature modular laboratories, flexible teaching spaces, and collaborative lounges designed to encourage spontaneous exchange of ideas. Emphasis is placed on universal accessibility, robust digital connectivity, and integrated safety systems, ensuring the spaces are inclusive and responsive to future demands. The renewal also targets energy efficiency and environmental stewardship, aligning with institutional sustainability goals. Implementation will proceed in multiple phases, each carefully planned to minimize disruption to ongoing research activities while delivering incremental improvements. The phased strategy includes stakeholder engagement at every stage, ensuring that the needs of researchers, educators, and support staff are addressed. Early phases focus on upgrading shared core facilities and establishing collaborative hubs, while later stages expand specialized laboratory clusters and teaching suites. This iterative process allows for continuous feedback and adjustment, supporting a dynamic and resilient facility evolution. The presentation provides dual perspectives: the architect will discuss the design philosophy, spatial strategies, and integration of shared services, while the project manager will detail operational planning, stakeholder consultation, and risk management across the multi-phased timeline. Together, they will highlight how the renewal program transcends conventional laboratory design, creating a facility that is not only fit for today’s research but also adaptable for tomorrow’s scientific frontiers. Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and opportunities of large-scale renewal projects in the life sciences, including lessons learned in balancing innovation, collaboration, and operational continuity. The session will demonstrate how thoughtful facility design and strategic project management can drive research excellence, foster community, and ensure long-term sustainability—truly moving 'beyond the laboratory box.'
Vaughn Engel, Project Manager, University of Alberta As a Senior Project Manager (contractor) with the University of Alberta and others, Vaughn Engel has overseen various complex greenfield and brownfield projects within the healthcare and research sector over the past 30+ years. As owner's representative, Vaughn is responsible for guiding the entire project pathway that includes planning, procurement, programming, design, construction, warranty and closeout. His leadership principles are rooted in accountability to project scope, budget and schedule that aligns with vision. His vast experience in post-secondary renovations has equipped Vaughn to effectively navigate operational objectives, stakeholder expectations and risk management throughout complex and multi-phased projects.
Janet Koshuta, Architect Principal, START Architecture Inc. As an architect and Principal of START Architecture, Janet Koshuta plays a lead role in overseeing complex projects in healthcare and research, with a focus on post-secondary institutions. She participates in all phases of project delivery, including functional programming, schematic design, architectural/interior design development and contract document phases. A major design focus has been on the planning and coordination of the renewal of research facilities. Through her extensive knowledge of building systems, furniture and equipment and workflow patterns, Janet can support, direct and lead the entire architectural and interiors design team and the engineering consultants alike.
Retrofitting for Resilience:
Transforming a Conventional Warehouse into a Future-Ready Blood Processing and Distribution Facility
Yvonne Choe, Architect, DIALOG
Robert Mariani, Mechanical Engineer, DIALOG
Phillip Springer, Canadian Blood Services
The objective of this presentation is to explore how an existing warehouse building was strategically transformed into a future-ready blood processing facility, balancing sustainability, operational resilience, and regulatory requirements through an integrated owner, facilities, and design team approach.
What does sustainable laboratory design look like when tight timelines and limited land availability force a critical choice: repurpose or rebuild? This presentation examines the Canadian Blood Services Edmonton Operations Facility, a 37,000 sq ft adaptive reuse project that transformed an existing single-storey warehouse into a specialized blood processing environment supporting laboratory, warehousing, and administrative functions. Rather than beginning with a purpose-built science facility, the project required the team to work within significant spatial and systems constraints, raising an important question for the sector: when should we retain, upgrade, or rebuild existing infrastructure to support critical science operations? The existing building presented substantial limitations due to size and infrastructure constraints. However, the project became a case study in strategic adaptive reuse, demonstrating how targeted interventions can deliver performance, resilience, and carbon-conscious outcomes while avoiding the embodied carbon of new construction. From an owner perspective, this approach balanced capital investment, speed to occupancy, and long-term flexibility against the cost and timeline of greenfield development. Delivered under stringent Health Canada certification requirements and GMP standards, the facility required major upgrades to mechanical and electrical systems, including emergency power and UPS infrastructure, to support mission-critical operations. These interventions were carefully calibrated to work within the existing warehouse constraints while balancing energy performance, future flexibility, user wellbeing, budget, and compressed schedule requirements. A key focus of the session will be the decision-making framework behind adaptive reuse in specialized science environments: how to evaluate existing building stock, determine the appropriate level of intervention, and future-proof facilities not originally designed for laboratory use. Lessons learned will address trade-offs between embodied carbon reduction, schedule pressures, certification requirements, and the practical realities of light industrial infrastructure. Presented jointly by Canadian Blood Services and DIALOG, the session will bring owner, facilities, and design perspectives to the discussion. It will also explore how adaptive reuse aligned with Canadian Blood Services’ financial model and operational readiness requirements, including accelerated timelines for occupancy and continuity of critical services. The central takeaway is that sustainable labs are not always born from new builds; sometimes the most impactful sustainability strategy lies in intelligently transforming buildings never intended to support science.
Yvonne Choe, Partner, Architect, DIALOG Yvonne Choe is a registered architect with over 19 years of experience leading the planning and delivery of complex institutional, research, and laboratory environments. She has worked with clients including Canadian Blood Services, Seeker Labs, Laboratories Canada, and the University of Calgary, supporting projects that require a high degree of coordination between user needs, operational requirements, and technical performance. Her experience spans programming, laboratory planning, and project delivery, with a focus on translating stakeholder input into functional, adaptable, and resilient design solutions. She has led engagement and planning processes on projects such as Laboratories Canada Cultural Heritage and the University of Calgary Veterinary Learning Commons, bringing together diverse user groups to align operational workflows, regulatory requirements, and long-term flexibility. Yvonne is known for her ability to facilitate complex conversations and distill them into clear, actionable design strategies. Her work emphasizes collaboration, clarity, and responsiveness, ensuring projects support both immediate operational needs and future adaptability.
Robert Mariani, Partner, Mechanical Engineer, DIALOG Robert Mariani is a mechanical engineering leader in DIALOG’s Toronto studio, specializing in healthcare, research, and laboratory environments. He has contributed to projects for clients including Canadian Blood Services, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University Health Network, Dalhousie University and Seeker Labs, delivering building systems that support critical operations, energy performance, and long-term resilience. His experience includes the design and delivery of HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, and building automation systems across complex laboratory and institutional projects, from concept through construction and contract administration. Robert focuses on aligning system performance with operational requirements, ensuring facilities are efficient, reliable, and adaptable over time. With increasing complexity in laboratory environments, Robert advocates for practical, intuitive system design that supports ease of use while enabling flexibility for future change. His approach emphasizes simplicity, coordination, and performance, ensuring building systems effectively support both users and operations throughout the lifecycle of the facility.
Phillip Springer, Manager, Construction Projects, Canadian Blood Services Phillip Springer is a Chartered Construction Manager with extensive experience delivering complex capital projects across healthcare, industrial, and commercial sectors. He has led the delivery of high-value projects, including a $375 million hospital redevelopment and large-scale industrial facilities exceeding $200 million. Currently serving as Manager of Construction Projects at Canadian Blood Services, Phillip is responsible for advancing strategic facility initiatives, including capital planning, project delivery, and operational integration. His work focuses on aligning project outcomes with organizational priorities, balancing cost, schedule, quality, and long-term performance. Phillip brings experience across both public and private sectors, with a strong track record in stakeholder coordination, change management, and translating client requirements into successful built outcomes. His approach emphasizes collaboration, clear decision-making, and delivering projects that support operational readiness and long-term value.
Prototype for Renewal:
Retrofitting A 1960s Lab Building
Liam Brown, mcCallumSather
Mary Georgious, mcCallumSather
Mike Ditty, University of Waterloo
The objective of this presentation is to demonstrate how aging laboratory infrastructure can be stabilized and transformed through targeted retrofit strategies that improve energy performance, flexibility, and long-term resilience without requiring full system replacement or operational shutdown.
At the University of Waterloo’s Earth Sciences & Chemistry Building, many challenges had built up over decades. The building had been renovated in pieces, systems didn’t always align, and the infrastructure behind the ceilings told a different story than the drawings. The floorplate itself reflected this, with a fragmented layout of isolated labs, narrow double-loaded corridors, and limited access to daylight or shared space. At the same time, the labs couldn’t shut down. Research had to continue. This project didn’t start with a full replacement strategy. It started with a simple question: what needs to be stabilized first? At the same time, the team asked how the physical layout could better support clarity of movement, collaboration, and long-term adaptability. This session will walk through how a phased retrofit approach focused on improving stability, not just adding capacity. Mechanical decisions played a central role, helping shift the building from a collection of independent systems to one that could respond more predictably to how labs are actually used. In parallel, the architectural response reorganized the floor around a single-loaded, daylit corridor, improving visibility, wayfinding, and access to shared spaces while supporting more consistent environmental conditions. Targeted upgrades to controls, airflow, and ventilation reduced energy demand while improving consistency and safety. Rather than overdesigning, the team focused on flexibility. Systems were set up to support changing research needs, future connection to lower-carbon energy sources, and continued upgrades over time. The lab planning followed a similar approach, introducing a more consistent and modular layout that can be adapted over time without major reconstruction. Many of the most effective moves were not large interventions, but smaller, deliberate adjustments that improved how the building performs day to day. The presentation brings together perspectives from design, engineering, and building operations to reflect how decisions were made in real time, with limited budget, limited shutdown windows, and incomplete information. It also reflects how spatial decisions and building systems were coordinated to improve both performance and user experience. Attendees will leave with practical insight into: •how to recognize early signs that lab systems are becoming unstable •how to prioritize upgrades when everything can’t be done at once •how to improve energy performance through better control and ventilation strategies •how to introduce new systems without overbuilding •and how to extend the life of existing lab buildings in a meaningful way This award-winning project is a reminder that sustainable lab design is often about making what you already have work better, more reliably, and for longer.
Liam Brown, Principal, Architect, mcCallumSather Liam Brown is a Principal at mcCallumSather with a growing specialization in laboratory and research facility design. Working as both project architect and project manager, he brings a thoughtful, client-focused approach to complex science environments. Liam is known for translating diverse stakeholder input into clear, high-performing lab solutions that balance flexibility, safety, and long-term functionality. His work is grounded in careful listening and practical problem-solving, helping teams navigate technical requirements, risk, and delivery constraints. An active member of Sustainable Labs Canada, Liam brings both industry insight and hands-on experience to advancing effective, future-ready laboratory design.
Mary Georgious, Principal, Mechanical Lead, mcCallumSather Mary Georgious is a Principal at mcCallumSather with deep expertise in energy retrofits, sustainable building systems, and laboratory design. Her work focuses on decarbonizing existing buildings through practical, phased strategies that improve performance while supporting ongoing operations. As mechanical engineering lead, Mary brings a strong understanding of complex mechanical systems in lab environments, balancing energy efficiency, safety, and user needs. Known for her collaborative approach, she works closely with clients and project teams to translate technical requirements into clear, buildable solutions. Her experience spans institutional and research facilities, where she advances high-performance design grounded in real-world application.
Mike Ditty, Director, Infrastructure and Technical Services, University of Waterloo Mike Ditty is a Director of Infrastructure and Technical Resources at the University of Waterloo. He has a strong background in chemistry, having completed his M. Sc. in Chemistry at the University of Waterloo from 1997 to 1999. His expertise includes spectroscopy, chemistry, NMR, and NMR spectroscopy. Ditty's professional experience spans various roles within the University of Waterloo and Bruker Biospin.
From Policy to Practice:
How Governance, Users, and Design Shape Flexible Specialized Laboratories
Leslie Sims, AECOM Technical Services Inc.
Shahin Machhiwala, AECOM Technical Services Inc.
Michel Letourneau, Public Services and Procurement Canada
Jean‑Pascal Levasseur, Natural Resources Canada
The objective of this presentation is to illustrate how the national framework for renewal of the research capabilities is being achieved using the TerraCanada NCR project as an example. We will focus on the change management required for the scientists, recognizing that this project is reinventing how they do their work, providing flexibility when laboratories are highly specialized, and working within the national framework established for the renewal of research laboratories across Canada.
Modernizing Canada’s federal laboratory portfolio is not simply a design challenge; it is a governance, cultural, and operational transformation. The Laboratories Canada (LC) initiative, and the TerraCanada National Capital Area (TC NCA) project in particular, offers a rare, real time look at how national policy, user behaviour, and technical delivery intersect in the creation of next generation, multi departmental science facilities. This session moves beyond traditional project narratives to reveal how flexibility is achieved in highly specialized laboratories. Michel Letourneau (Public Services and Procurement Canada – Laboratories Canada) will begin by reframing the Repeatable Laboratory Design Framework (RLDF) not as a design standard, but as a strategic change tool. Drawing from the national rollout of the RLDF and lessons learned on TerraCanada NCA, Michel will provide insight into how the framework supports consistency across Canada while deliberately avoiding over prescription. A key “ah ha” moment for many audiences will be understanding where the RLDF intentionally stops, leaving space for science programs, operational risk, and future uncertainty to drive decision making. This section highlights how policy, funding strategy, lifecycle stewardship, and collaboration objectives are embedded in the framework long before design begins. Jean Pascal Levasseur (Natural Resources Canada) will then present the user reality behind flexible labs, offering perspectives rarely shared outside project teams. JP will explore the tension between specialization and adaptability from the scientist’s perspective, addressing why flexibility can feel like risk rather than an opportunity. Through examples tied to NRCan science programs and the planning for the transition and the move to the new facility, he will discuss change management challenges, user mindset shifts, and the operational consequences of moving from legacy, single purpose labs into shared, modular environments. This segment delivers an important “ah ha” for designers and owners alike: flexibility is as much a behavioural and trust issue as it is a technical one. The final portion of the session focuses on how design teams translate policy and user tension into built reality, presented by Leslie Sims (AECOM) with contributions from Shahin Machhiwala (AECOM). Rather than showcasing finished plans, this segment pulls back the curtain on the decision making process itself. The presenters will walk through how complex functional programs are analyzed, clarified, and stress tested, identifying true drivers versus perceived requirements. In addition to laboratory needs, the discussion integrates site constraints, security, sustainability, energy targets, Indigenous design principles, and future expansion strategies. The session concludes with a focused discussion on designing special laboratories for real flexibility, highlighting modular planning, resilient MEP distribution, future ready equipment strategies, and collaboration spaces that support both science and organizational change over time. Together, these perspectives offer a candid, multi disciplinary view of how Canada’s next generation of laboratories is being shaped—not just by design excellence, but by governance, operations, and people.
Leslie Sims, Principal, Building and Places, Americas, AECOM Technical Services Inc. Leslie Sims, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, is a Principal Architect at AECOM with extensive experience delivering complex, large scale science and laboratory facilities across North America. Her work focuses on translating highly technical functional programs into clear, flexible, and future ready design solutions that balance safety, performance, and adaptability. Leslie brings a collaborative, process driven approach to laboratory planning, integrating operational, sustainability, security, and user needs early in the design process. She has worked closely with federal clients, scientists, and technical specialists to support the delivery of multi departmental laboratories that respond to evolving research mandates throughout their lifecycles.
Shahin Machhiwala, Manager, Electrical Engineering & Senior Project Manager, Buildings + Places, AECOM Technical Services Inc. Shahin Machhiwala, P.Eng, LC, LEED AP BD+C, ENV SP, STS, is an Operations Manager and Senior Engineer at AECOM, specializing in the delivery of complex science, laboratory, and secure facilities. She brings deep expertise in integrating site planning, security, sustainability, energy performance, and Indigenous design principles into large scale, multi stakeholder projects. Shahin plays a critical role in balancing highly technical requirements with broader environmental, cultural, management and community objectives. Her work supports resilient, future ready laboratory environments that respond not only to current scientific needs but also to long term operational, regulatory, and societal considerations.
Michel Letourneau, Senior Architect, Public Services and Procurement Canada Michel Letourneau is a Senior Architect with Public Services and Procurement Canada, working within the Laboratories Canada initiative to modernize federal science infrastructure. He brings a national, strategic perspective to the development and implementation of the Repeatable Laboratory Design Framework (RLDF), aligning policy, governance, and long term stewardship objectives. Michel works at the intersection of science programs, infrastructure planning, and delivery, helping ensure that new laboratory facilities support collaboration, adaptability, and lifecycle performance. His experience provides critical insight into how national frameworks are translated into real projects such as TerraCanada NCA.
Jean Pascal Levasseur, Natural Resources Canada Bio to come.
Designing for Proof:
Turning Laboratory Buildings into Living Evidence
David Adams, University of Victoria
Esteban Matheus, DIALOG
Daniel Prescott, DIALOG
Moderator: Rishi Nandi, DIALOG
The objective of this presentation is to share how a new zero carbon research facility was intentionally designed to generate actionable performance data for operations, future retrofits, and institutional decarbonization. Demonstration of how embedded monitoring can extend beyond building performance to directly support engineering education and research at UVic.
Laboratory buildings are typically designed, commissioned, and handed over with limited ability to verify whether energy and ventilation assumptions remain valid once real users, research demands, and operations take over. This session explores a different approach—one that treats the laboratory building itself as critical infrastructure for long term learning, performance management, and institutional decarbonization. The University of Victoria Engineering Expansion comprises two new research facilities scheduled to open shortly before the conference: the Engineering & Computer Sciences Expansion Building and the High Bay Research and Structures Laboratory. Delivered to Zero Carbon Building Standards, these buildings were conceived as living laboratories from the earliest stages of design. While post occupancy data collection will only be beginning at the time of the conference, the project offers a rare opportunity to examine how monitoring frameworks, not just technologies, are embedded to support future evaluation, operational decision making, and teaching. The session focuses on how performance data will be generated, governed, and used. 1,000 sensors are integrated across energy systems, ventilation, envelope assemblies, and structural components. Rather than functioning solely as a diagnostic tool for commissioning, this monitoring infrastructure is designed to enable continuous feedback across multiple time horizons: short term operational tuning, medium term energy and ventilation optimization, and long-term planning for retrofits and system renewal. Panelists will discuss how performative design strategies—such as hybrid mass timber structures, passive and active ventilation systems, energy recovery, and laboratory airflow controls—were paired with a clear data strategy to ensure their effectiveness can be evaluated over time. Emphasis will be placed on decision making frameworks: which metrics matter, how data is translated into actions by facilities teams, and how early collaboration between designers and owner operators shaped a system that remains usable after handover. Beyond operations, the session highlights how this data ecosystem is intended to support teaching and research at UVic. Building performance data will be accessible to students and faculty, allowing engineering curricula to engage with real, live systems rather than abstract models. The facilities become both research tools and pedagogical assets, reinforcing the idea that science spaces themselves can contribute to scientific inquiry. This session reframes laboratory sustainability as an ongoing process rather than a completed outcome. Attendees will gain practical insight into how to design for future evidence—creating laboratories that not only aim for low carbon performance, but are equipped to prove it, improve it, and learn from it over their full lifecycle.
David Adams, Associate Director, Energy Services, University of Victoria David Adams represents the owner and operator perspective as Associate Director of Energy Services at the University of Victoria. With over nine years managing UVic’s campus energy portfolio, he is responsible for translating building performance data into operational strategy, capital planning, and long term decarbonization outcomes. As owner representative for the UVic Engineering Expansion, David helped define how monitoring, controls, and data access are structured to support daily operations, future retrofits, and the integration of real building data into teaching and research.
Esteban Matheus, Associate, Project Architect, DIALOG Esteban Matheus is a Project Architect at DIALOG with over a decade of experience delivering complex institutional and research facilities. His work emphasizes integrated design processes that balance structural innovation, sustainability, and performance accountability. On the UVic Engineering Expansion, Esteban led the architectural coordination of hybrid mass timber systems and performative building assemblies, with a focus on durability, adaptability, and enabling future performance evaluation.
Daniel Prescott, Partner, Mechanical Engineer/Building Performance, DIALOG Bio to come.
Moderator: Rishi Nandi, West Coast S+T Leader, DIALOG Rishi Nandi is DIALOG’s West Coast Science + Technology Leader with over 20 years of experience delivering advanced research and laboratory facilities for post-secondary institutions. He works closely with scientists, facilities teams, and institutional leadership to align design intent with operational performance and long-term sustainability goals. Rishi’s leadership focuses on low carbon strategies, lifecycle value, and designing laboratories as adaptable platforms that support evolving research, teaching, and decarbonization objectives.
Workshop
The Interface of BIM and Lab Project Requirements
Victor Lima, Diamond Schmitt
The objective of this workshop is to provide hands-on learning on how BIM has become a baseline for Lab projects and how companies can start setting up themselves for this new industry requirement.
Laboratory projects present uniquely complex demands for Building Information Modeling (BIM), driven by the need to coordinate specialized equipment, stringent performance criteria, and evolving operational requirements. Unlike conventional building typologies, labs require a high level of precision in spatial planning, services coordination, and data management, where even minor discrepancies can impact functionality, safety, and compliance. This session explores the critical interface between BIM processes and the specific needs of lab environments, focusing on practical strategies to enhance clarity, consistency, and value delivery across multidisciplinary project teams. Participants will examine different approaches to tracking laboratory equipment within BIM, identifying what information is most meaningful to capture—from spatial coordination and utility connections to asset data, maintenance requirements, and lifecycle considerations. The discussion will highlight how different levels of information can support design decision-making, construction coordination, and long-term operations. The session will also address the definition and standardization of required BIM families, including strategies for efficient mass creation, parameter consistency, and governance. Emphasis will be placed on scalable approaches that can be applied across large, complex, or repeatable lab programs, reducing redundancy while improving data reliability. In addition, a key component of the discussion will be the implementation of ISO 19650, a BIM standard now being adopted across Canada and increasingly required for federal projects. Participants will gain insight into how ISO 19650 frameworks—such as information requirements, naming conventions, and common data environments—can be effectively integrated into lab projects to align deliverables with client expectations and support long-term asset management goals. Through a combination of real-world insights, case-based examples, and collaborative discussion, this session aims to equip participants with actionable frameworks and practical tools to better integrate BIM into the delivery of high-performance laboratory projects, ultimately improving coordination, reducing risk, and enhancing project outcomes.
Victor Lima, Director of Digital Practice, Diamond Schmitt Architects Victor Lima is an experienced professional with training in Engineering and Architecture. Victor's career has been distinguished by his involvement in diverse projects, including labs and healthcare. With over 10 years of experience, Victor has effectively implemented BIM in various projects, meeting diverse BIM deliverable expectations. His leadership in BIM implementation at Diamond Schmitt has maintained their cutting-edge status in Canada. Victor actively engages in collaborative workflows, data analysis, computational techniques, and open BIM concepts. As a member of buildingSMART Canada and Building Transformations, he passionately advocates for the adoption and advancement of BIM practices within the Canadian BIM community.
Beyond the Laboratory Box:
Durability as a Climate Strategy at the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean Confluence
Mary Clinton, Memorial University of Newfoundland
Jeff Churchill, HOK
Ami Shah, HOK
The objective of this presentation is to demonstrate how the study of environmental systems at the Arctic–Atlantic Ocean confluence drives the architecture of the Core Science Facility, positioning the building as a durable research platform that extends into an ocean-scale laboratory.
At the most easterly edge of North America, St. John's sits at the confluence of the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans—one of the most dynamic oceanographic transition zones on the planet. Here, the exchange of heat, salinity, and biological systems shapes global climate processes, positioning the ocean—not the atmosphere alone—as a critical domain of climate research. The Core Science Facility at Memorial University of Newfoundland was conceived as a response to this condition. Supporting the international research network of the Ocean Frontier Institute and the shared analytical platforms of the CREAIT Network, the building acts as a land-based platform within the Arctic–Atlantic confluence—an interface to a distributed ocean laboratory. Centralized core facilities extend the laboratory beyond the building itself, enabling analysis of ocean-based systems, while surrounding wet and dry labs support iterative research, validation, and interdisciplinary exchange. Together, they dissolve the boundary between field and facility, reinforcing a “laboratory beyond the box” approach. This relationship is made visible in the central atrium, where a suspended whale skeleton serves as a constant reminder that the work within the building is ultimately tied to the health and understanding of the ocean systems that surround it. In this context, durability becomes a primary climate strategy. The project prioritizes long-term performance, resilience, and operational continuity over short-term efficiency gains. Extreme maritime exposure, including wind-driven rain, salt-laden air, and freeze–thaw cycles, drove the development of a precast panelized envelope system with continuous insulation and air barrier strategies, favouring robustness and airtightness over conventional drained rainscreen assemblies. Geography also shaped the building section and systems approach. Persistent cloud cover and low-angle northern light informed the introduction of multi-storey atria and full-height glazing to draw diffuse daylight deep into laboratory environments. At the same time, geographic isolation reinforced the need for centralized core facilities, concentrating high-value instrumentation to support interdisciplinary research and reduce redundancy. These decisions highlight a broader shift: in high-performance laboratory environments, sustainability is not defined solely by energy metrics or certification systems, but by durability, adaptability, and the ability to maintain continuous operation under changing climate conditions. At the Arctic–Atlantic confluence, the ocean is the laboratory. The building is the durable instrument that allows us to understand it.
Mary Clinton, PhD Candidate, Memorial University of Newfoundland Mary Clinton is a PhD Candidate at the Ocean Frontier Institute in the Department of Ocean Sciences at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Her research explores how marine organisms recycle nutrients on the seafloor, and how climate change may be altering these processes in northern ocean ecosystems. Originally from coastal British Columbia, Mary was drawn to Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique marine biodiversity at the transition between Arctic and sub-Arctic waters. She is passionate about promoting ocean literacy and enjoys translating scientific data into practical tools that support conservation decisions and inform sustainable ocean use management.
Jeff Churchill, Sr. Principal, Regional Leader of S+T, HOK Jeff Churchill is a Science + Technology Regional Leader at HOK, where he leads the planning and design of complex research environments. His work focuses on integrating sustainability, performance, and emerging scientific practices into high-performance laboratory design. Jeff is particularly interested in how evolving models of research, such as bioconvergence and shared platforms, can be supported through adaptable, resource-efficient environments that respond to both institutional priorities and broader climate goals.
Ami Shah, Health Education Global Practice Leader, HOK Ami Shah is a principal and firmwide Health Education practice leader based in Atlanta. A veteran architect and lab planner, she has extensive experience assisting universities develop cutting-edge spaces for educating and training doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. She advises on projects across HOK and leads teams focused on designing new and innovative solutions for the rapidly evolving field of health education.
The Realization of the Scarborough Academy of Medicine & Integrated Health
Nigel Tai, Diamond Schmitt Architects
Jeff Miller, University of Toronto
Scheduled to be completed in summer 2026 to welcome new medical students in the new academic year, SAMIH is a unique project that bring Research (science), Practice (healthcare) and Pedagogy (academic) under one roof utilizing various sustainability design features to achieve high performance. The objective of this presentation is to have the design & owner team to discuss the challenges & solutions in implementing these features during construction, and how the building is performing in real life relative to design model since construction complete.
The new Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) combines flexible laboratory spaces, classrooms, and offices for the University of Toronto Scarborough, with functions that bridge the gap between university and the community, such as psychology clinic and pharmacy. The building is characterized by a dynamic five-storey atrium that forms the “beating heart” of the building and establishes a pedestrian artery that runs through its central axis. The atrium provides unobstructed views to the exterior and allow for natural light to penetrate the interior. It is clad in wood and integrates an abundance of greenery, bring the surrounding ravine inside, creating a continuation of the surrounding landscape indoors that gives users and visitors of the building a sense of well-being. This central space offers collaborative learning environments where teachers, students, health professionals, and faculty can lounge and interact with one another. It is also a key component to enable an efficient air circulation and heat recovery strategy to reduce energy consumption of the building. The design of SAMIH is one that is focused on healing, not only in its role as a place of medical education and research, and its commitment to healing people, but as an architecture that is healing for the environment. Taking advantage of the amount of sunlight the site had to offer, the building is clad in a façade of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) panel to soak in the natural energy from the sun and help reduce the burden to our mother Earth. Together with the conventional rooftop PV array, the BIPV system will generate on-site renewable energy that provide 20% of the building overall annual energy consumption. In addition, the structure of the building is based around a 9.6-metre grid that allows for a great degree of flexibility in the layout and services of lab benching and spaces. This serves to extend the building’s lifespan making it more sustainable by allowing the labs to be updated and rearranged with very little material waste. Other sustainable design features include a robust and high-performance building envelope assembly, low window to wall ratio, low-carbon HVAC system with ability to respond to building and occupant needs, and extensive energy recovery. We presented this project in the 2024 SLCan conference when the project was in early construction phase. With SAMIH scheduled to be completed in July 2026 and SLCan conference taking place in November, the design and owner team would like to take this opportunity to discuss lessons learnt, challenges and solutions in implementing these sustainable design features during construction. We would also be open to report back on the building real life performance relative to design energy model.
Nigel Tai, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects Nigel Tai is a Principal with Diamond Schmitt Architects, licensed member of the Ontario Association of Architects, Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Certified Passive House Designer, LEED AP. With over 24 years of professional experience, he has worked on several firm’s complex lab projects including the LEED Platinum certified CANMET material lab in McMaster Innovation Park, the Wildlife Health Centre at Toronto Zoo, the LEED Gold certified and 2018 Canadian Green Building award winner Environmental Science and Chemistry Building at the University of Toronto Scarborough. He is currently working on two medical education & research facilities: SAMIH & SHN Education Centre.
Jeff Miller, Director - Facilities Management & Capital Projects, University of Toronto Jeff Miller is a construction and engineering professional with 27 years of progressive experience who serves as the Director of Facilities Management and Capital Projects at the University and is involved with the Construction, Renewal and Stewardship of UTSC's buildings and grounds. Jeff 's education is as a mechanical engineer, and he is passionate about Sustainability. He provides leadership and serves on many of U of T's committees on Sustainability and its road to and role in a lower carbon and more environmentally responsible future.
Panel
Beyond Containment:
High Containment Labs, Carbon Neutral Ready Design
Benoit Bisson, Public Services and Procurement Canada
Peter Longoria, Perkins&Will
Guillaume Martel, Provencher_Roy
Georges Maamari, BPA
Mary On, Introba
MODERATOR: Samuel Houle, Perkins&Will
The objective of this panel discussion is to share how the Labs Canada RSS Project demonstrates carbon neutral ready and future proof design in high containment laboratories, enabling long term adaptability without compromising safety, functionality, or resilience.
High containment laboratory buildings are historically energy and carbon intensive due to stringent safety requirements, regulatory constraints, and high mechanical demands. In many cases, these factors dominate decision making and limit the ability to achieve innovative sustainability goals. The RSS Complex project challenges this paradigm. Designed as a carbon neutral ready facility incorporating laboratory spaces up to Containment Level 3 (CL3), the project demonstrates how ambitious sustainability objectives can be pursued within a highly regulated, mission critical environment without compromising safety or functionality. Beyond operational carbon reduction, the project emphasizes future proofing strategies that support a building lifespan of 50–100 years, ensuring adaptability to evolving programmatic needs. The main facility provides a unique opportunity to assemble specialized scientific capabilities and expertise from four federal departments, enabling a previously unrealized level of interdisciplinary collaboration. Achieving meaningful progress in this context requires the involvement of the right expertise, supported by a determined owner with a clear project vision. In this panel discussion aligned in some ways with all four of the priority pillars of this year’s theme, perspectives will be shared from the owner/client, architects, and engineers who have been collaborating on the project over the past two years to explore the science behind the science spaces of high containment laboratory design. The discussion will also openly address challenges and conflicts encountered along the way, highlighting lessons learned during design that may help others facing similar conditions on their own projects.
Benoit Bisson, Project Director, Public Services and Procurement Canada Benoit Bisson is a Project Director and Professional Engineer (Ing. | P.Eng.) with over 15 years of experience leading complex real estate and infrastructure programs valued up to $1.6B. He has been recognized for strategic leadership, sound governance, and the successful delivery of large-scale projects in highly regulated public-sector environments. Benoit specializes in end-to-end project delivery, value engineering, cost optimization, risk management, and executive-level stakeholder engagement. He has a proven track record of mobilizing multidisciplinary teams, advising senior leadership, and delivering measurable outcomes, including leading a value engineering exercise that generated significant cost savings while maintaining quality, compliance, and program objectives. Motivated by building high-performing teams and creating sustainable, efficient, and future-ready built environments, Benoit brings a pragmatic, results-driven approach to project leadership and organizational transformation.
Peter Longoria, Senior Associate and Senior Project Architect, Perkins&Will Growing up, Peter Longoria was always fascinated with the creative process of construction and had an eye for detail. This natural inclination led him to a career in architecture, and it only started there. He loves thinking outside the box, and pairs functionality with the individual needs of each client to create spaces that are more in-tune with their users and help to support remarkable experiences. Never afraid to ask the hard questions, Peter takes a fastidious approach to the foundation of the initial design all the way through construction. His passion drives from a curiosity for how things come together and support each other, finding solutions for how spaces can better the environment, and he takes pride in seeing how the end-product can change communities.
Guillaume Martel, Partner and Architect, Provencher_Roy Guillaume Martel-Trudel is Provencher_Roy’s sustainability expert, leading the development and implementation of sustainable strategies across the firm’s projects. He specializes in coordinating integrated design approaches in architecture and sustainable engineering throughout design, construction, and operations. His experience spans projects of all scales, including Place du Portage III, the Hélène-Desmarais Pavilion at HEC Montréal, and defence research and technology facilities. Since 2018, he has chaired the Canada Green Building Council’s Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Group and received the 2019 CaGBC Leadership in Technical Expertise ED LIM Award.
Georges Maamari, Vice-President Mechanical, BPA Georges Maamari is a LEED Accredited Professional with 20 years of experience in sustainable design and the management of complex projects. His strong team management abilities allow him to rally others around common goals and bring ambitious projects to fruition. Thanks to his solid expertise honed over the years, Georges excels at setting and tracking mechanical performance standards while steering energy-efficiency initiatives that deliver a lasting impact.
Mary On, Senior Associate and Mechanical Engineer, Introba Mary On focuses on Science and Technology projects, bringing expertise in sustainable mechanical design to deliver lab facilities that are practical, resilient, and environmentally responsible. Her approach simplifies complex challenges into clear, effective design solutions.
MODERATOR: Samuel Houle, Associate and Senior Project Architect, Perkins&Will Raised in eastern Quebec along the St. Lawrence River, Samuel Houle developed an early appreciation for civic spaces and vernacular architecture. Curious and creative, he cultivated a keen interest in materiality, aesthetics, and the qualities that shape meaningful environments. A bilingual architect registered in Ontario and Quebec, he values collaboration and guides projects from early concepts through refined construction detailing. With extensive experience leading large, complex projects and joint ventures, Samuel translates client ambitions into contextual, human-scaled architecture. He is proud to create places that build common ground, connect people, and strengthen communities.
Clean Room Design Challenges:
Bridging Performance, Sustainability, and Innovation in Life Sciences
Ruth McMath, RWDI
Dianthé van Weerden, RWDI
The objective of this presentation is to provide actionable insights to support the design of cleanrooms in the areas of ventilation strategies, enclosure design, energy use and air quality control.
As Canada’s life sciences and biomanufacturing sectors expand, the demand for high-performance, energy-efficient cleanroom environments continues to grow. Aligning with SLCAN’s theme, “the science behind science spaces,” this presentation explores the evolving technical and strategic challenges of cleanroom design, from early-stage planning through to operations. This session will provide actionable insights to support developers, architects, and project teams navigating increasingly complex requirements in regulated environments. It will highlight the critical role of Canadian-based design expertise in advancing domestic capacity while addressing global performance and sustainability expectations. Cleanroom design is undergoing a fundamental shift. Traditional prescriptive approaches—such as fixed air change rates based solely on ISO classifications—are no longer sufficient in a context where energy intensity, operational carbon, and lifecycle performance are key drivers. Instead, performance-based design frameworks are emerging as best practice, requiring deeper collaboration between disciplines and more rigorous verification of outcomes. The presentation will focus on several core technical challenges, including ventilation strategies, enclosure design, energy use, and air quality control. Particular attention will be given to the balance between maintaining contamination control and minimizing energy consumption. Mechanical engineers are increasingly required to assess and quantify risk, moving beyond rule-of-thumb design toward evidence-based solutions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is becoming an essential tool in this transition, enabling teams to simulate airflow patterns, evaluate contamination risks, and validate design performance prior to construction. However, this shift introduces new questions: How do we define pass/fail criteria in a performance-based framework? How can teams confidently verify that design intent translates into operational success? This workshop is designed to meet the audience’s demand for substantive technical content while fostering practical, solutions-oriented discussion. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to navigate cleanroom design challenges holistically—balancing performance, sustainability, and cost—while supporting the continued growth of Canada’s life sciences and biomanufacturing sector.
Ruth McMath, Technical Director Exhaust Dispersion and Design, RWDI Ruth McMath is an exhaust dispersion specialist who supports building performance objectives using wind tunnel and numerical dispersion modeling. As technical director at RWDI, Ruth combines deep expertise in wind flows around buildings and exhaust re-entrainment with practical insights to suit the wider laboratory project goals.
Dianthé van Weerden, Senior CFD Engineer, RWDI Dianthé van Weerden is a member of RWDI's CFD team with over 10 years experience providing solutions for challenges related to both indoor and outdoor building airflow. With over 10 years doing CFD for building aerodynamics, she has worked on a wide variety of interesting projects around the globe including labs, vivariums, cleanrooms and other specialized indoor environments.
Panel
Keeping Physics Running:
Phasing, Safety, and Carbon in a High‑Constraint Building Retrofit
Kevin Humeniuk, Architecture49 Inc.
Sameh Aly, Architecture49 Inc.
Pradosh Krishnamoorthy, WSP
Danielle Churchill, University of Toronto
Joanne Peng, University of Toronto
The objective of this presentation is to share a practical, two-stage owner-led framework for planning and delivering deep retrofits in energy-intensive, specialized laboratory buildings while maintaining research continuity. It focuses on phasing strategy, life-safety and code compliance, and reducing operational and embodied carbon through right-sized, adaptable building systems.
Legacy laboratory complexes represent some of the most energy intensive and risk constrained assets on Canadian campuses. The University of Toronto’s McLennan Physical Laboratories – opened in 1967 and organized around a 16 storey tower with podium volumes and deep below grade spaces – exemplifies the challenge: aging MEP capacity, evolving research demands, and heightened expectations for safety, resilience, and carbon performance must be addressed without disrupting mission critical science. This session presents a two stage, owner led master planning framework that moves to integrate: •rigorous building and laboratory diagnostics, •research/user/operations input, and •decarbonization pathways tied to institutional performance standards and code requirements. Stage 1 of the Masterplan establishes the evidence base—building condition and infrastructure capacity, operational pain points, and an energy/carbon baseline—so renewal decisions are driven by measurable constraints rather than like for like replacement. Stage 2 of the Masterplan translates findings into renewal principles, investment ready options, and a phased implementation roadmap aligned to research continuity and campus governance. A distinguishing feature is delivery of a sub basement Astronomy Labs Renovation in parallel with the Masterplan. The sub basement—historically built around accelerator infrastructure and heavy concrete shielding—creates “real world” constraints typical of specialized below grade labs: legacy ventilation distribution, complex separations, challenging access/egress, and durability risks. Solutions developed during design and early implementation inform masterplan phasing logic, life safety sequencing, and ventilation zoning strategies that can be replicated across the broader complex. Co-presented by the owner and the consultant team, this session focuses on decision quality: how to right size ventilation, plan for future modification without overdesigning, improve resilience, and reduce operational and embodied carbon while maintaining containment and compliance in critical environments. Attendees will leave with a practical template for structuring lab facility renewal programs that unite capital planning, safety, operations, and decarbonization outcomes into a single, phased strategy.
Kevin Humeniuk, Principal, National Sector Leader, Science & Technology, Architecture49 Inc. Kevin Humeniuk, MAA, PMP, LEED AP, is National Sector Leader, Science and Technology at Architecture49, providing strategic leadership for complex laboratory, research, and regulated facility projects across Canada. He brings extensive experience aligning client objectives, technical excellence, and delivery strategy, enabling high performing teams to deliver mission critical science, health, and innovation infrastructure.
Sameh Aly, Regional Market Sector Lead, Industrial, Architecture49 Inc. Sameh Aly, PhD., MSc., BSc. Arch. Eng., OAA, PMP, LEED AP (BD+C), is Regional Market Sector Lead, Industrial for Architecture49 in Toronto, providing design and delivery leadership for complex industrial, science, and technology facilities. He is recognized for strong collaboration with user groups, technical integration across disciplines, and a consistent focus on quality, constructability, and regulatory performance.
Pradosh Krishnamoorthy, Senior Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager, WSP Pradosh Krishnamoorthy is a senior mechanical engineer and project manager with over 20 years of experience delivering complex science, laboratory, and mission critical facilities. He has led large scale projects across the Middle East and Canada, with recent work including life science laboratories, metallurgical and wet labs, food inspection facilities, and advanced medical research centres. Pradosh specializes in HVAC led laboratory design, with strong expertise in public health and firefighting systems to international standards. He currently serves as Mechanical Team Lead and Senior Project Manager with WSP Canada.
Danielle Churchill, Manager, Lab Planning, Office of Infrastructure Planning, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto Danielle Churchill is Manager of Lab Planning with the Office of Infrastructure Planning, Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto. She leads strategic laboratory planning initiatives, working closely with academic and research stakeholders to align space, infrastructure, and program needs in support of teaching and research excellence.
Joanne Peng, Senior Infrastructure Planner – Mechanical Engineering, Office of Infrastructure Planning, Faculty of Arts & Science, University of Toronto Joanne Peng, M.Eng., P.Eng. is Senior Infrastructure Planner – Mechanical Engineering with the Office of Infrastructure Planning, Faculty of Arts & Science at the University of Toronto. She provides technical leadership for laboratory and research infrastructure, specializing in mechanical systems, sustainability, and regulatory compliance for complex academic environments.
What Our Members Say
Ivana Miljanic, Project Manager, Facilities Planning & Development, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Over the years SLCan events and webinars were my happy place. The community provided me with knowledge, ensured my technical growth and networking hub, during facility tours, are always fun and engaging.
It was, and still is my lab/ research sanctuary, where sustainability ideas become reality.